Jonte Richardson has resigned from his role as a judge in the BAFTA emerging talent category, citing dissatisfaction with how the organization managed an incident involving a racial slur uttered involuntarily by John Davidson, a campaigner for Tourette’s awareness. The incident occurred during the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony on Sunday, 22 February 2026.
Davidson, who was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome as a teenager, experienced involuntary vocal outbursts during the ceremony. One of these tics included the use of the N-word while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. Davidson, who inspired the film “I Swear,” later explained that he left the ceremony early because he was conscious of the distress his involuntary actions were causing.
In response to the incident, Richardson publicly criticized BAFTA for its response, describing it as “utterly unforgivable” on LinkedIn. He stated that he would no longer offer his time or expertise to the organization, emphasizing that he could not support an entity that has repeatedly failed to protect the dignity of its Black participants and the broader Black creative community.
Richardson, director at BLAKLIGHT MEDIA, acknowledged the presence of notable Black talent at this year’s event, including the show “Just Act Normal,” which he praised. He also referenced BAFTA’s history of systemic racism, stating that the organization’s refusal to properly recognize the harm caused to both Black and disabled communities, and to issue a fitting apology, made continued involvement unacceptable. He urged BAFTA leadership to understand the damage caused and to implement inclusive measures for future events.
BAFTA issued a statement addressing the situation, acknowledging that offensive language was heard by guests, causing trauma and pain for many. They explained that Davidson has devoted his life to raising awareness about Tourette Syndrome, a condition characterized by involuntary verbal tics. BAFTA said they had notified attendees before the event that Davidson’s tics might include strong language, noises, or movements.
The statement confirmed that early in the ceremony, a loud and profoundly offensive tic was audible and that Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at that moment. BAFTA apologized unreservedly to the actors and all affected individuals. They also thanked Davidson for his dignity in choosing to leave the auditorium and observe the remainder of the ceremony remotely.
BAFTA took responsibility for the difficult situation and reaffirmed their commitment to inclusion and to learning from the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The organization stressed its belief in film and storytelling as vital means for fostering compassion and empathy.
The incident has sparked discussion around the intersection of disability, race, and language in public spaces, particularly during high-profile events. No further comments from BAFTA or Davidson were reported at this time.
